Strap seal and method of applying same



Aug. 21, 1956 c, M. MaccHEsNEY STRAP SEAL AND METHOD OF' APPLYING SAME Filed Jan. 16, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet l @yf/ Q @a 42a W 35a, i?? 2x1 @o 7 33 350 32a 35 I E @s2/5b S60 615/@ 3.51 la f y Aug. 21, 1956 Q M MaoCHESNEY 2,759,233

STRAP SEAL AND METHOD OF PPLYING SAME Filed Jan. 1e, 1952. s sheets-sheet 2 Aug. 21, 1956 C M, MaoCHESNE-Y 2,759,233

STRAP SEAL AND METHOD OF APPLYING SAME:

Filed Jan. 16, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet. 3

2,759,233 STRAP SEAL AND MnTHoD on APPLYING sAME Chester M. MacChesney, Chicago, I ll.,` assignor to Aerne Steel Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois` Application January 16, 1952, Serial No. 266,153 4 Claims. (Cl. 2,4-23!)` This invention relates to. an improved metal seal for uniting the ends of metal straps or other binders and its purpose is to. provide an improved form of seal: and a new method of applying seals to straps.

Heretofore it has been the usual practice to unite the ends. of metallic straps and the like which have been passed. around packages, r groups @.f Packages, by Overlapping the ends of each strap, placing a seal iu= position to enclose the overlapped ends, and then shearing or bending the overlapped portions of the seal and strap in order to. form an` interlocking joint. This prior method of sealing the ends of straps has provided a very ecient joint but the joint has had considerable thickness due to thev overlapping of the strap ends and the addition thereto of the thicknesses of the Walls of the seal and, in addition, that method of sealing has required the provision of devices, in addition to the seal, for holding both ends. of the strap during the process of drawing the strap taut around the pacakage and applying the seal thereto.

The principal object of the present invention is to; provide an improved form of seal for uniting the ends of a metallic strap or binder without overlappingV the ends thereof, and an improved method by which this seal may be applied to the ends of the strap. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved sealy having a part adapted to be interlocked with one end of the strap before the strap is passed around the package after whih the. seal. itself may he utilized as a holding device for that end ofthe strap while the Strap is passed around .the .package and drawn taut around another part of the seal, whereupon the last mentioned part of the seal' is Operated upon to form an interlocking engagement with said other end of the strap. A further important object of the invention is to provide a seal having means` to interlock with both ends of a metal strap or binder and also having means adapted to act as` a cutting or shea-r,-

`ing die against which the strap may be ,cut ett from the 1 source of supply after it has been drawn taut around the package. Still another object of the invention is to provide a metal seal having parts to interlock separately with the two ends of a metal strap or binder, without overlapping said ends, and having a recess to reeiye one of of said ends of said strap or binder when it is cut off from the source of supply. A further object of the invention is to provide a metal seal for uniting the ends of a metal strap or binder without requiring more than two thicknesses of metal at any point in the joint which is formed by the seal. Other objects relate to. various features of construction and arrangement and to -varions details of the method, which will appear more full-y here.- inafter.

The nature of the invention the following specification taken with the accompanying drawings, 4irl which the imPIOVGd nl elhod iS il'llllrsfl lll .connection with three forms .of the `irnproveld' seal. in the drawings,

Figure l-shows a .top Vplan View of 01.1.@ farm sf the proved seal;

will be understood imm Patented. Aug- .21, .1.856

Fig. 2 shows an end elevation of the seal illustrated- Ain Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on` the line 3.-,3- of Fis- 1f. Showing the method of applying .one end et the strap to the seal before passingv the strap around. the package;

Fig. 4 is a detail section taken transversely to the seal on the line 4-4 of Fig. l;

Fis.. 5 shows ,a longitudinal section throughI the .seal and one form of sealing device, illustrating the arrangement of the parts after the strap has been passed around the package and drawn taut preliminary to uniting the supply end of the strap with the seal and cutting the strap off from the source of supply;

Fig. 6 is a detailhorizontal section taken on-A the line 6,-.-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7. shows aA longitudinal section through the Seal and strap after the seal has been passed around the package and the sealing joint completed;

Fig. 8 shows a top plan view of the complete seal joint as. illustrated in Fig, 7;

Fig. 9 shows a longitudinal section on the line. 9:79 .0f Fig; 8;

Fig. 10 shows. a transverse section on the line 10:71() Qt Eig. 8;

Fig. 11 shows: a top plan View of a second forro o f the: improved seal;

Fig; l-2, shows a detail section taken on either of the lines 12--12 of Fig. 1'1;

Fig. 13 shows a longitudinal section through the seal and a portion of oneform of a devicev which may be. em ployedV for uniting one end of a strap with one end of the seal` preliminary tov passing the strap around a paci:- ases.

Fig. 1'4 shows a horizontal. section through a part of another form of device which may be employed for holdiing thel seal and strap after the end of the, strap has been applied to the sealV by the device illustrated in Fig. 13, and; illustrating the application of the other end of the strapY to the other end of the seal. after it hasV been passed around the: package;

Fig. l5v shows a vertical section through the stra-p and seal and through the device illustrated in Fig. 114 after the supply end of the strap has been threaded through the sealv and drawn taut around the package;

Fig. 16 shows a top plan. view of the two ends of the strap united by theseal after the seal has been operated upon by the device shown in Fig. 1-5, tocut off the strap froml the source of supply and unitethe cut-off end of the strap with the seal;

17 shows a transverse section taken on eitherv of the lines 17-1-7 of Fig. 16;

Fig'. 18 shows a longitudinal section taken on the line 18418 of Fig; 16;

Fig: 19 ShQWS a longitudinal Sestiou taken ou the .line 1,9-19 of Fis.Y 16s Flg- 20 Shows e .IOP plan. View of a third form of ,the Seal., 'Showing parte which are adapted to be united .simultaneously With the tw@ ends. et the strap;

Fis- 21 ShQWS ,a transverse Section .taken 011 the linie 2l-zr of .Ius- .20;

Fie. .22. shows.. a .22e-22 sf Fs- 20;

Eig 23 Shows a transverse Seating take-1 1 Oa the line v23?@3 of Fig. l2 0;

Fis 2.4 Shows a leasitudiual station .thrsush the seal @ad a Portieri Qt 0.1.1.@ .ferm 0f Sealing devise atte .the Strap has been Passed around saches? and the Surely .end thereof brought inte nssitisa te be. sut utf from the sauts@ Qt Supplv aus tu .lasy united with sus aart et' the seal;

longitudinal section taken. Qn the litre Fig. is a detail section taken on the line 25-25 of Fig 24;

Fig. 26 shows a top plan view of the completed joint after the seal has been united with both ends of the strap;

Fig. 27 is a transverse section taken on either of the lines 27-27 of Fig. 26;

Fig. 28 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 28-28 of Fig. 26; and

Fig. 29 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 29-29 of Fig. 26.

The form of seal shown in Figs. l to l0, inclusive, comprises a rectangular metal plate 30 which has been operated upon by suitable punches or dies to form a downwardly inclined lip or flange 31, a rectangular opening 32 and two pairs of oppositely disposed ears or flanges 33. The lip 31 is located adjacent on end of the plate 30 and is formed by cutting through the metal of the plate on three sides of the lip while at the same time bending it downwardly, as shown in Fig. 3, and leaving the lip united with the body of the plate throughout its inner edge. The opening 32 is formed by stamping out a part of the metal of the plate to leave an opening which is somewhat wider than the strap to be sealed and which has one edge 32a adapted to act as a shearing or cutting die for severing the strap when the formation of the joint is completed. The ears 33 are formed by cutting away similar circular portions of the plate 30 along the curved lines 33a, with the removal of some of the metal, and bending upwardly the remaining intermediate portions of metal to form the .1

ears which are united with the plate 30 along their bases which extend longitudinally of the plate. These ears are curved upwardly and inwardly from their points of attachment with the plate 30, as shown in Fig. 2, and the ears of each pair are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the width of the strap. In addition to the parts just described, the plate 30 is provided at the end thereof adjacent the lip 31 with two upwardly extending lugs 34 which are formed by punching the metal of the plate at its end.

In applying the seal 30 to the metal strap or binder 35, one end portion 35a of the strap is first inserted through the slot 31a which is formed in bending downwardly the lip 31. When inserting the strap, it occupies the position illustrated by dotted lines at 36 and, after it has been inserted through the slot, it is bent so that the body portion lies parallel to the plane of the plate 30 while the free end 35a is inclined upwardly beneath the plate, as shown in Fig. 3. In this way an interlocking connection is formed between one end of the strap and seal and the seal may then be utilized for holding that end of the strap while the strap is passed around a package and drawn taut. For this purpose, the parts of the seal which project beyond the edges of the strap are caused to engage shoulders which hold the seal against movement while the strap is put under tension. These shoulders may be formed as a part of a sealing device comprising a casing 37, shown in Figs. 5 and 6, having a recess 38 extending inwardly from one end at one side thereof with this recess closed at one end by an end wall 37a in which there is formed a slot 39. This slot is adapted to receive the projecting strap 35 and since thc slot does not extend inwardly to the same extent as the recess 38, there is formed a shoulder 37b at the inner end of the slot to engage the edge of the plate 30 at one side of the strap and, in addition, the seal is adapted to engage the shoulder 37e` which is formed by the end wall beneath the slot 39. When the seal and strap are inserted in the recess 38 with the strap 35 projecting through the slot 39, the end of the seal abuts against the shoulders 37b and 37C to hold the seal against movement, the casing 37 of the sealing device being preferably secured to a fixed support and engaging the surface of the package 40. To increase the width of the strap at its end where it abuts against the shoulders formed on the wall 37a and to prevent any tendency of the seal to pass through the slot 39, the previously described lugs 34 are formed on the end of the seal and are adapted to project upwardly to abut against the end wall 37a above the slot 39. The lower wall of the casing 37 is provided with a recess 37d to accommodate the downwardly projecting lip 31 and the portion of the strap which extends beneath it.

Having secured the end of the strap to the seal and placed the seal within the casing 37 to hold it in fixed position, the next step is to pass the strap around the package and when this is done, the supply portion of the strap is brought up over the package 40 and inserted edgewise into the opening 38 and slot 39 so that it overlies the seal within the recess 38 with the portion. 35b thereof lying between the opposite ears 33 which are carried by the seal. In order to insert the strap between the ears 33, it is tilted edgewise, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4, and it is then pushed downwardly between the ears which are curved as previously described, to accommodate this movement and also to insure the bending of the ears in the proper direction when they are subsequently operated upon by the sealing tool. Having passed the strap between the spaced ears 33 and through the slot 39, the strap is then pulled taut around the package which may be done by passing the strap into engagement with a suitable gripping device which is capable of relative movement with respect to the casing 37. As illustrated in Fig. 5, this gripping device comprises a head 41 having a flange 41a to underlie the strap 35 and having a gripping dog 42 which is pivoted thereon by a pin 43 with the rounded end of the gripping dog arranged to engage a curved ange 41b carried by the head. The gripping dog is provided with a lower serrated surface 42a which is adapted to engage the upper side of the strap and the longitudinal axis of the gripping dog is inclined away from the casing 37 so that when the head 41 is moved toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 5, the dog 42 automatically increases its grip upon the strap as the strap is forced against the flange 41a. In this way, the strap is drawn taut around the package preliminary to the operation of uniting the portion 35b of the strap with the seal.

The seal is united with the supply end 35b of the strap by pressing the ears 33 downwardly and thereby compressing the edge portions of the strap into the openings which are formed in the plate 30 by the cutting of the ears therefrom. This may be accomplished in various ways but it is here shown as being effected by the downward movement of a plunger 44 which is slidably mounted in the casing 37 and which carries with it a cuttingy knife 45. When the plunger 44 is moved downwardly it engages the ears 33 and bends them downwardly over the part 35b of the strap while at the same time forcing the edge portions of the strap beneath the ears downwardly into the openings which are formed in the plate 3l) beneath the ears, thus causing the parts to assume an irregular interlocking arrangment, as shown in Fig. 7. At the same time that this occurs, the part 35b of the strap is cut off from the source of supply by the coopera- -tion of the cutting knife 45 with the shearing edge 32a of the opening 32 which is formed in the seal. The strap fis thus cut off and the extremity 35C thereof is bent downwardly into the opening 32, as shown in Fig. 7, so that the outermost edge of the strap is prevented from catching on any object which may be near the package around which the strap passes. The strap is preferably drawn very taut before the final sealing operation takes place so that when the lower wall of the casing 37 is subsequently passed out of position beneath the strap and seal, there will be suflicient tension in the strap to cause it to snap downwardly into close engagement with the upper surface of the package, as shown in Fig. 7, Where the seal is illustrated on an enlarged scale as compared with the size of the package around which the strap passes. The

seal is formed of metal having considerable stiffness so that its parts are adapted to maintain the nal positions -into which they are bent during the sealing operation and the ilexible binder 35, although having a slight resilienceand capable of being readily bent around the package, is also of suicient ductility and stiffness so that its parts retain their interlocking engagement with the parts of the seal, as shown particularly in Figs. 7, 8 and 10.

In Figs. l1 to 19, inclusive, of the drawings there is illustrated a second form of the invention by the use of which there may be formed a sealing joint which is capable of occupying a smoother and flatter position on the package than the form above described. This form is one in which both ends of the strap are united with the sealing plate by the same form of means. In this form, the seal 5) comprises a rectangular metal plate having formed at one end thereof two pairs of oppositely disposed ears 51 and on the other end portion thereof two pairs of oppositely disposed ears 52. These ears 51 and 52 are formed by cutting away portions of the met-al of the plate to leave semicircular openings 53 and 54, respectively, and by bending up the metal to form the ears which are united by the body of the plate along their edges which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plate. A portion of the metal of the plate is cut away entirely in forming each of the openings 53 and 54 so that if any one of the ears isbent downwardly into its opening, a` semicircular slot will remain around the edge of the ear. Between the ears 51 on one end portion of the plate and the ears S2 on' the other end portion thereof, a rectangular opening 55 is formed by' cutting away a portion of the metal of the plate. This slot has a width somewhat greater than the width of the strap to which the seal is to be secured and the metal along one edge 55a of this opening is adapted to operate -as a cutting or shearing die against which the strap is cut off after it has been passed around the package. The ears 51 and 52 of each pair are spaced apart a distance slightly less than the width of the strap and' they are curved upwardly and inwardly toward' each other, as shown in Fig. 12, so that when' they are subsequently engaged' by a member adapted to compressl them, they will bend in the proper direction due to their initial curvature.

The seal shown in Figs. 11 and 12 is applied to the flat metal strap or binder 56 by placing one end of the seal in an opening 57 which is formed in the casing S8 of a device which may be employed for uniting one end of the seal with one end portion 56a of the strap. Having placed a part of the seal in the opening 57, the end 56a of the strap is inserted between the opposite ears 51 with the extremity of the strap spaced somewhat to the right of the opening 55, as shown in Fig. 13. The ears 51 arel then pressed downwardly and this may be accomplished by the plunger 59 which is mounted to reciprocate vertically in the casing 58. As the plunger 59 moves downwardly, the ears 51 are bent until they engage the upper surface of the strap 56 and then, the further pressure which is applied through the plunger 59 causes the edges of the strap to be bent downwardly into the openings 53, as shown in Figure 15. An interlocking connection is thus formed between one end of the seal and one end of the strap.

The next step in the operation of using the seal illustrated in Fig. 11 consists in holding the seal and passing the strap around the package. This may preferably be done by inserting the seal in a casing 60 which is provided with a chamber or recess 61 to receive the seal and strap and which has an end wall 60a provided with a slot 62I through which the strap 56 extends. The slot 62 terminates somewhat short of the inner part ofthe recess 61' so that a shoulder 60b is provided to engage the end of the seal 50 at one side of the strap and, in addition, the portions of the end wall at the other side of the strap and beneath the strap furnish another shoulder 60C which engages other end portions of 'the' seal to pre# vent movement thereof. The casing 60 is secured to' a fixed support so that it is retained against movement and it rests upon the surface of the package 63, as shown in Fig. l5. The strapv 56 is then' drawn taut around the package and the portion thereof which is connected to -the source of supply is carried up over the package and inserted in the recess 61 and the' slot 62 to overlie 'the seal and the end portion 56a ofthe strap. The part S6b of the strap is inserted between the opposite' ears 52 and the part of the supply portion of the strap which projects through the slot 62 is then engaged by the operator and pulled outwardly from' the casing 60 to draw the strap taut. This operation may be effected by a movable head 65 which has a flange 65a to underlie the strap and which has a gripping dog 66 pivotally mounted on' a pin 67. The upper curved end of the gripping dog engages a curved flange 65a which isr carried by the head and the other end is provided with a serrated surface 66a which is adapted to grip the upper side of the strap. The gripping dog 66l is inclined away from the casing 60 so that upon movement of the head 65 toward the right, as viewed in. Fig; 1'5, thei gripping dog automatically in'- creases its grip upon' the strap and the strap is drawn taut'.

The next operation' consists in' uniting the portion 5'67b of the strap with the seal through the depression of' the ears 52. Although this' may be effected in various ways, it is preferably accomplished by' a plunger 67V which is mounted to move vertically in thel casing 60' and which has secured thereto a cutting blade 68: As the plunger 67 is moved downwardly, the' ears 52 are bent inwardly and downwardly over the portion 56b of the strap so that the strap is compressed into the underlying openings: 56 while at the salme time the ears' are pressed downwardly into the recesses which' are' thereby formed inr the' strap, thus forming an interlocking con'- nection, as shown in: Figsl. l7 and 119. At the same time that this operationoccurs, the plate 68 cooperates with the cutting ed'ge' 55a of the opening 55i t'o severthe end portion 56'b of the.' strap from the source of supply'. As this isdone,. the extremity 56e of the strap, at the pointof severance,. is pressed downwardly into the open ing S5 due to the inclination of the cutting edge of the blade' 68, so. that the end of. theI strap is prevented from catching on surrounding objects. After' thus forming the sealing joint, thelower Wall5 of the casing 60 is with'- drawn from the position beneath the strapand the' strapy and seal then` snap downwardly due to' the ten-A sion of' the strap. so that they lie in close proximity to the upper surface of the package' 63'; as shownV in Fig 1:9.

The thirdl form of the invention, illustrated in Figs. ZO-to 29; inclusive, is distinguished from the other' forms' of' the invention primarily in: the fact that both ends of the strap may be united with the seal' iny one operation; In this form of the invention, the seal "/'04 comprises' a rectangular metal'1 plate having formed on one end portionl thereof two pairs of ears` 71 and" on the other en'd portion thereof two pairs of ears- 72', with a rectangular slot oropening 73 between them. The'ears 7i are'forme'dz byV cutting. the metal' off theY plate' along semicircuflar lines and simultaneously removing srnallI semicircular' stripsof metal after whichI the intervening substantially semi# circular tab off metal is bent upwardly to form the' ears" 7-1. These ears are united with the body of the platealong lines extending longitudinally thereof and they then extend' upwardly as shown at 71"`a and thence horif zontally inward as` shown.` at 7'1I. The openings 74b'e'- neatli the ears71' are adapted to receive` the metalf of the" strap whenthe ears are bent downwardly. The earsy 72" formed' on the other' endl ofthe plate areK cutin a similar way, withan actual removal of a portion o'f the metal around' the semicircular edgev of the tab which forms each ear `and the tabs are then bent upwardly to formr theV ears 725 which' have anA upward andJ inward curvature, as shown in Fig. 2l. Openings 74a are thus provided in the plate to receive the metal of the strap when the ears 72 are bent downwardly. The ears of each pair are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the width of the strap and the slot or opening 73 is also somewhat wider than the width of the strap. One edge 73a of the opening 73 is adapted to form a cutting or shearing die against which the strap is cut off after the joint has been formed.

The seal shown in Figs. 20 to 23, inclusive, is adapted to be applied to the strap in a manner similar to that previously described except that both sets of ears are compressed into interlocking engagement with the strap ends in one operation. This may be effected by the form of apparatus which is partially illustrated in Fig. 24. It comprises a casing 75 having a chamber or recess 76 adapted to receive the seal and the strap. This casing has an end wall 75a provided with a slot 77 through which the strap extends. The casing 75 is adapted to be held in fixed position and to engage the surface of the package 78 about which the strap 79 is to be passed. The end 79a of the strap is first threaded into one end of the seal 70 beneath the ears 71 and then the seal is inserted in the recess or chamber 76 with the strap projecting through the slot 77. Since the ears 71, in this condition, will not hold the strap against movement with respect to the seal, if a pull be exerted thereon, additional means is provided for frictionally holding the strap. For this purpose, the casing 75 is provided with an extension 75b on which is mounted a serrated gripping plate 80. A pair of flanges 75C extends upwardly from the extension 75b and unites this extension with the end wall 75a of the casing. A shaft 81, having an eccentric portion 81a, is journaled in the anges 75C and a roller 82 is mounted on the eccentric portion 81a of this shaft. By turning the shaft by means of a handle, not disclosed, the roller may be moved downwardly to cause the strap to engage the gripping plate 80. The strap is passed around the package 78 and the supply end thereof is then brought up over the lower wall of the casing 75 and inserted into the recess 76 with the portion 79b thereof lying between the opposite ears 72. This portion of the strap is then carried upwardly through the slot 77 in a position above the end 79a of the strap and the supply end of the strap will then overlie the portion 71b of the ears 71, as shown in Fig. 24. At this time, the roller 82 is elevated by turning the shaft 81, to permit the strap 79 to be inserted beneath the roller, and the roller is then again returned to its lower position where the lower layer of the strap is pressed against the gripping plate 80. The r portion 79e of the strap, beyond the roller 82, is then subjected to tension in order to stretch the strap taut around the package. This may be effected by means of a movable head 83 having a ange 83a to underlie the strap and another ange 83h to engage the upper curved extremity of a gripping dog 84 which is pivoted on a pin 85 carried by the head. The gripping dog is provided with a lower serrated surface 84a to engage the upper side of the strap and it is inclined away from the casing 75 so that when the head 83 is moved toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 24, the gripping dog 84 automatically increases its grip upon the strap as the strap is forced against the ange 83a. During this movement of the head 83, the upper section 79e of the strap is permitted to move beneath the roller 82 which then revolves but the lower end portion 79a of the strap is maintained in tight engagement with the serrated gripping surface 80 so that it is held against movement. In this way, the strap is stretched taut around the package preliminary to the operation of forming an interlocking connection between the seal and each end of the strap.

The ears 71 and 72 may be bent downwardly to effect an interlocking connection between the seal and the strap ends by means of the plunger 87 which is mounted for vertical movement in the casing 75 and which has two parts 87a and 87b adapted to compress the ears 71 and 72, respectively. Between these portions of the plunger, there is mounted a cutting blade 88 which is adapted to be moved down simultaneously with the plunger. When this downward movement takes place, the cars 71 are bent downwardly to force the metal of the end portion 79a of the strap into the opening 74 in the plate 70 while at the same time the ears themselves are caused to form indentations in the strap so that an interlocking joint is formed, as shown in Fig. 29. During this operation, the portion 57a of the plunger directly engages the section of the strap which overlies the ears 71. At the same time, the other portion 87h of the plunger directly engages the bends downwardly the other ears 72 so that the edge portions of the sections 79b of the strap are bent downwardly into the openings 74a of the plate while the ears are themselves caused to form indentations in the plate, thereby forming an interlocking joint, as shown in Fig. 29. During this operation, the cutting blade 83 moves downwardly and cooperates with the shearing edge 73a of the plate itself to cut off the strap 79 from the source of supply. During this cutting operation, the plate projects the extremity 79d of the strap downwardly into the opening 73 so that this extremity is prevented from engaging surrounding objects. With this form, the seal is secured to both ends of the strap and the strap is cut off from the source of supply in one operation.

Although three forms of the improved seal have been shown and described in connection with the explanation of different examples of the improved method of uniting the ends of a strap by means of a seal, it will be understood that the seal may be constructed in various forms and that the invention may be practiced in various ways within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A strap seal comprising a metal plate having means to form an interlocking connection with one strap end, said plate having a transversely extending part at the end thereof adjacent said strap end to increase its effective thickness, said plate having at the opposite end thereof a pair of upwardly extending ears adapted to receive another strap end between them and to be bent into interlocking engagement therewith.

2. The method of uniting two strap ends which consists in causing said ends to overlap separate portions of a plate having ears extending upwardly on opposite sides of said strap ends and having a transverse slot through an intermediate part thereof, bending said ears downwardly over said strap ends to form interlocking engagements therewith, and cutting off one strap end and forcing the extremity thereof into said slot.

3. The method `of uniting two strap ends which consists in causing said ends to overlap separate portions of a plate having ears extending upwardly on opposite sides of said strap ends and having a transverse slot through an intermediate part thereof, bending said ears downwardly over said strap ends to form interlocking engagements therewith, and cutting off one of said strap ends by forcing it against an edge of said slot.

4. The method of securing a strap around a package which consists `in providing a metal plate having means at one end for forming an interlocking connection with one strap end and a pair of spaced upwardly extending ears at the other end thereof with a transverse slot in an intermediate part thereof, then securing the free end of a strap to said first named end of said plate by said interlocking means and holding said plate and passing said strap around the package, and then drawing said strap taut around the package with a part thereof extending between said ears, and then forcing said ears downwardly over said strap and simultaneously cutting off said strap against an edge of said slot.

N (References on following page) 9 References Cited in the le of this patent 1,855,007 UNITED STATES PATENTS 13731823 31,848 Evans Mar. 26, 1861 187,758 Hempstead Feb. 27, 1877 407,404 211,713 Dickinson Jan. 28, 1879 502,974 1,348,485 Dietze Allg. 3, 1920 599,783

10 Bradley Apr. 19, 1932 Monten Sept. 18, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Dec. 22, 1924 Germany July 18, 1930 Germany July 9, 1934 

